Here's a related question that has been puzzling me ever since I started
into Linux...

In at least the earlier versions of 32 bit Windows when things got messed up
it was usually possible to reinstall without losing anything except perhaps
programmes that had become corrupted. Almost everything was still there and
working after a reinstall. I think that ended with XP (but I'm not
absolutely sure) which forced one to either do a fresh install in a new
folder, or trash everything.

Is it possible to reinstall Ubunto Hardy and keep the software that is
already installed? I know you can keep your home directory, but it would be
nice to be able to just do a "refresh" to repair anything that was damaged
in the main O/S.